Selman Four Fires Wrington into Quarter Finals
Some games are so event fall the report writes itself. Churchill Sports centre extended their hours to accommodate the game and deserve credit for getting the game on. The 3G surface is perfect for good football. The slick surface allowed both sides to pass the ball and after Selman went close with a header, it was Hutton who took an early lead as a long throw and header alluded everyone to squeeze in off the post. The home side responded well to going behind and settled into their passing game releasing Johnson to feed Selman who lobbed the keeper expertly. He was soon in the action again as Clements intercepted a clearance and set him off on a mazy run across the 18 yard line before planting a left foot drive past the diving keeper. Wrington now looked comfortable with Matt Lenny and Scott Gallagher working hard in midfield and Mickey Edmunds controlling the ball in front of them. It was his turn to put Selman in on goal whose precise chip made it a hat trick. There was still time for Hutton to respond before half time and another long throw caused Wrington problems. Edmunds helped out Clements by picking up his man but as no good deed goes unpunished his clearing volley fell to an oncoming Hutton attacker who reduced the deficit and kept it interesting at half time. As usual Phil Williams had marshalled Briggs and Curtis expertly in defence but had to come off at half time, replaced by George Martin. Wrington made use of their squad depth and brought on Anthony Badman and Jonny Marsh. They seemed to have sealed the win when against the run of play, a quick break by Johnson squared the ball to Edmunds who finished with a left foot curler. To their credit Hutton stepped up again and started to dominate as Wrington failed to keep the ball. A long ball through the middle saw Abdulqani use his speed to slot home and Hutton were now on the front foot forcing a penalty converted by Aaron Young to level the scores. It took a desperate tackle from Martin to take it to extra time and Curtis made a heroic goal line clearance. Actually…that was last week but I missed it out of the report. Anyway…it was Wrington who were holding on for extra time with their Skipper Callum Briggs seriously injured.
The break allowed the home team to regroup and reorganise with only ten men but the good talking too obviously worked as a fine passing move with Thomas prominent on the left allowed Curtis to get forward and set Selman up for his fourth. Before Hutton could respond, Selman released Anthony Badman who was full of running and rounded the keeper to score. With Jonny Marsh now in defence Wrington resisted as Hutton pushed forward. In the final minutes, with the Hutton Keeper committed to attack, Thomas managed to ‘burgle’ a defender and roll the ball in from 40 yards to leave the final score 7 – 4 in a most entertaining game.